Barthes wasn't really talking about stories like _Terminator_ (which I love,
by the way, and the sequel even more so) - by adventure, he means the voyage
to unknown places etc, where the struggle is against natural danger rather
than human or technological. His example is Jules Verne, but it fits
Melville equally well. And of course it also fits desert island stories,
from _Robinson Crusoe_ to the current reality TV shows like _Survivor_.
Don't tell me you never had any desert island fantasies, Josephine?
Best wishes
Matthew
----- Original Message -----
From: "Printmaker" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, August 19, 2001 11:11 PM
Subject: Re: Book Review- Moby Dick
> Matthew Francis wrote:
>
> > That reminds me of one of my favourite essays, Barthes's 'The Nautilus
and
> > the Drunken Boat' in _Mythologies_. His argument is that adventure
stories
> > are really celebrations of home - their temporary domiciles (ship, hut
and
> > tent) are used to place home in the dramatic context of danger and
> > isolation, so that security is re-experienced with a thrill of delight.
>
> Thanks Matt
>
> I'll remember this next time I watch Terminator - or any of
> a zillion other 'boy' movies I can think of. *chuckle* Its
> not really about blowing away the bad guys, car(whale)
> chases, or rescuing the token helpless female after all.
> Bouy did I get _that_ wrong!
>
> I thought the author was dead?
>
>
> josie
>
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